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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is preparing to swoop for Jamaican wonderkid Leon Bailey, according to a report in Romanian newspaper Pro Sport.

Bailey, who currently plies his trade with Slovakian champions AS Trencin, has been linked with a move to Ajax but Chelsea are said now to be favourites to sign the player, adds the report.

Chelsea will, according to the paper, scout Bailey when his team play Romanian side Steaua Bucharest in a Champions League qualifier.

OUR VIEW

Jose Mourinho has previously stated that the Blues are no longer a buying club and he wants to construct a team based around youth development. Therefore, the fact Chelsea are linked with a rising star is not a huge surprise. What is slightly surprising, though, is the fact Chelsea’s scouting network goes as deep as the Slovakian league.

A word of caution for Bailey, the last youth prospect to make the grade at Chelsea wasJohn Terry. He made his debut in 1998.